About the opportunity
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking a Programme Associate (G-6) for its Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) at headquarters in Rome, Italy. This fixed-term position is offered for two years with the possibility of extension. The Programme Associate plays a leading role in coordinating support for users of OSP-managed systems, including the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Module, and Internal Controls Reporting tool. Key duties include providing help desk support, managing system access rights, delivering user training, testing new functionality, preparing user guides, and updating intranet content.
Salary and benefits
- A competitive compensation and benefits package based on United Nations General Service salary scales for Rome, Italy.
- Fixed-term appointment of two years with possibility of extension.
Who can apply?
- Secondary school education.
- At least five years of experience in administrative, financial, planning, programming, or budgeting activities for both Regular Programme and projects.
- Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English and working knowledge of another FAO working language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
- Ability to effectively use standard office software (MS Office, Teams, Copilot) and FAO corporate financial systems and applications.
- Must be recruited locally: candidates must be Italian nationals or hold an existing valid work visa/permit and reside within commuting distance of Rome at the time of application.
Required documents
- Completed FAO online application profile.
- Language proficiency certificates from UN-accredited external providers or official FAO language examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) attached to the application.
When to apply
- Job posted on August 21, 2026.
- Application closure date: September 4, 2026, at 9:59:00 PM (based on the applicant's local device time setting).
- Applicants are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline date.
How to apply
- Visit the FAO recruitment portal (Jobs at FAO) and complete your online candidate profile.
- Attach required language certificates to your profile.
- Apply directly to Vacancy Announcement 2601809 and submit your application online before the closure date.
Additional information
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
- Only higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) are considered.
- No international benefits are payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in local currency.
- Appointment is subject to medical certification, background/reference checks, visa/residency verification, and security clearances.
- FAO is a non-smoking environment.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Candidates with at least five years of experience in administrative, financial, or budgeting activities.
- Individuals proficient in MS Office, Teams, and Copilot, as well as corporate financial systems.
- Bilingual candidates who speak English and at least one other FAO official language.
What should you think carefully about?
- This is a local recruitment; you must already reside within commuting distance of Rome and hold a valid work permit.
- No international benefits are provided, and payment is made in local currency.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is ideal for those aiming to transition into a specialized system support and training role within a major international organization's headquarters.
Our take
Perfect for local Rome residents with a strong background in financial and programming systems who seek a stable, two-year fixed-term role.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verified
